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Convention
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Description
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Bold
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Bold typeface indicates commands or characters the user types, provides emphasis, or the names of user interface elements.
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Italic
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Italic typeface indicates the title of a document, or signifies new terms.
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SMALL, BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS
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Small, bold capital letters indicate OpenEdge key functions and generic keyboard keys; for example, GET and CTRL.
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KEY1+KEY2
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A plus sign between key names indicates a simultaneous key sequence: you press and hold down the first key while pressing the second key. For example, CTRL+X.
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KEY1 KEY2
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A space between key names indicates a sequential key sequence: you press and release the first key, then press another key. For example, ESCAPE H.
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Syntax:
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Fixed width
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A fixed-width font is used in syntax, code examples, system output, and file names.
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Fixed-width italics
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Fixed-width italics indicate variables in syntax.
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Fixed-width bold
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Fixed-width bold italic indicates variables in syntax with special emphasis.
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UPPERCASE fixed width
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ABL keywords in syntax and code examples are almost always shown in upper case. Although shown in uppercase, you can type ABL keywords in either uppercase or lowercase in a procedure or class.
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Period (.) or colon (:)
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All statements except DO, FOR, FUNCTION, PROCEDURE, and REPEAT end with a period. DO, FOR, FUNCTION, PROCEDURE, and REPEAT statements can end with either a period or a colon.
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Large brackets indicate the items within them are optional.
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[ ]
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Small brackets are part of ABL.
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Large braces indicate the items within them are required. They are used to simplify complex syntax diagrams.
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{ }
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Small braces are part of ABL. For example, a called external procedure must use braces when referencing arguments passed by a calling procedure.
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A vertical bar indicates a choice.
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Ellipses indicate repetition: you can choose one or more of the preceding items.
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